CLXXXVIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



ence of nearly lialf a century. During the gi-eater part of that time 

 it has published a yearly bulletin giving an excellent record of progress 

 of its work about St. John, where the Society has its quarters, and 

 tliroughout the whole of N^ew Brunswick. This, with a museum which 

 shows very fully the natural history products of the province and records 

 of its archœology and early history, is a valuable repository for 

 educational and reference purposes, and is yearly receiving important 

 additions. From a struggling society, living in cramped quarters, with 

 insufficient accommodation for its numerous collections and library, it 

 has within the past few years entered upon a new lease of vigorous life 

 with a fine building, its own property, admirably suited for its needs, 

 and with a membership more than threefold what it had three years ago. 

 During the nine months ending 30th September, 1908 (the Society's 

 year now beginning with October instead of January), the total member- 

 ship has increased to 613, including 8 Honorary, 21 Life, 25 Cor- 

 responding, 177 Eegular, 315 Associate, 55 Junior (boys), and 12 

 Junior (girls). The Girls' Junior Branch was formed within the past 

 year. 



The total receipts for the nine months in cash were $2,211, with 

 a balance on hand of $815.72. 



The work done through the various committees, including those on 

 geology, botany, arcliEeology, etc., shows very good results. The Society 

 is in need of a larger working membership. Six summer field meetings 

 were held at points of interest in the neighbourhood of St. Jolm, giving 

 an opportunity for all classes of members and their friends to learn 

 something of the inland and sea-coast geology, fiora and fauna. 



The Curator reports a considerable list of donations and a great 

 interest in the museum. His efforts are directed towards making a 

 more orderly and systematic arrangement of material and to prepare 

 and set apart study collections for the working naturalist. In addition 

 tc> this, much educational work is being done in interesting tlie children 

 of the schools in the museum and in loaning small collections to teachers, 

 answering letters asking for information on Natural History subjects and 

 specimens, and in conducting field excursions for the Junior boys' and 

 girls' branches. 



The work of the Ladies' Association continues to increase in im- 

 portance, and the cordial agreement which exists between the Society 

 and this important auxiliary augurs well for future prosperous condi- 

 tions. 



Six regular meetings, in addition to the annual, and one special 

 meeting were held from January to June, 1908. The dates and subjects 

 of papers were as follows : 



